Kenya has renewed its pledge to strengthen regional collaboration under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework to promote decent work, fair labour practices, and safe human mobility across the Horn of Africa.
Speaking during the 3rd IGAD Ministerial Conference on Labour, Employment and Labour Migration in Nairobi, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said the discussions marked a major step toward advancing decent work, good governance, and socio-economic progress in the region.
“Kenya is committed to regional cooperation under IGAD’s framework, particularly in advancing human mobility that supports both development and stability,” said Mutua.
He announced that IGAD member states had agreed to adopt a unified position when negotiating employment terms for citizens working abroad. “We will work together with IGAD leadership and have one position so that we can negotiate as a bloc for good working conditions, salaries, and packages for our people going overseas,” he added.
Mutua further noted that Kenya had redefined its approach to external employment, referring to it as “labour mobility,” while emphasizing the need to create sufficient domestic opportunities. “At the end of the day, we must be able to provide enough jobs for our people without sending them away,” he said.
The CS also raised concerns over the growing threat of human trafficking, describing it as a major transnational crime exploiting vulnerable migrant workers. He revealed that Kenya had been identified as a key conduit for human trafficking due to its accessibility and global connectivity.
Mutua reaffirmed Kenya’s full support for IGAD’s initiatives to operationalize regional migration frameworks and enhance cross-border cooperation. “The Kenyan government fully supports IGAD’s ongoing efforts to promote safe, fair, and inclusive migration that benefits all communities,” he concluded.
